RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA/Gray News) — A former preschool teacher in South Dakota has been charged with the rape of a 3-year-old child, according to authorities.
Sarah Hazledine, 48, allegedly committed the crime in August 2024 while employed at a daycare center in Spearfish. She now faces two felony charges:
First-degree rape of a minor under 13
Sexual contact with a minor under 16
Court documents confirm that both charges involve the same alleged victim.
A longtime friend of Hazledine has spoken out, calling the accusations false and saying that dozens of people are willing to testify as character witnesses in Hazledine’s defense.
Hazledine is scheduled to make her first court appearance on April 28. No additional details about the child have been released to protect the victim’s identity.
The case remains under investigation.
